PRINTER'S NO. 669
No. 49 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY ZUG, HALUSKA, LEVDANSKY, LYNCH, RUBLEY AND STABACK, FEBRUARY 12, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, FEBRUARY 12, 2001
A RESOLUTION 1 Providing for the establishment of a task force to evaluate and 2 make recommendations regarding the utilization of certain 3 Commonwealth-owned lands. 4 WHEREAS, There are approximately 2.1 million acres of forest 5 land owned by the Commonwealth; and 6 WHEREAS, State forest lands are managed by the Department of 7 Conservation and Natural Resources, which seeks to ensure the 8 long-term health, viability and productivity of the 9 Commonwealth's forests, conserve native wild plants and provide 10 for recreational opportunities; and 11 WHEREAS, There are 116 State parks covering roughly 283,000 12 acres; and 13 WHEREAS, State park lands are managed by the Department of 14 Conservation and Natural Resources, which seeks to provide 15 opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation as well 16 as outdoor classrooms for environmental education; and 17 WHEREAS, There has been an increase in the purchase of 18 private lands by the Commonwealth for use as State forest lands
1 and State park lands; and 2 WHEREAS, Questions have arisen concerning the management of 3 these lands and the benefit of the current management plans to 4 the citizens of this Commonwealth; therefore be it 5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives create a task 6 force to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the 7 utilization of these Commonwealth-owned lands; and be it further 8 RESOLVED, That the task force consist of seven members, four 9 from the majority party and three from the minority party; and 10 be it further 11 RESOLVED, That two of the four members from the majority 12 party be appointed from the Appropriations Committee by the 13 chairman of that committee; and be it further 14 RESOLVED, That one of the three members from the minority 15 party be appointed from the Appropriations Committee by the 16 minority chairman of that committee; and be it further 17 RESOLVED, That two of the four members from the majority 18 party be appointed from the Environmental Resources and Energy 19 Committee by the chairman of that committee; and be it further 20 RESOLVED, That one of the three members from the minority 21 party be appointed from the Environmental Resources and Energy 22 Committee by the minority chairman of that committee; and be it 23 further 24 RESOLVED, That one of the three members from the minority 25 party be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of 26 Representatives; and be it further 27 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives 28 appoint the chairperson of the task force from among its 29 members; and be it further 30 RESOLVED, That the Minority Leader of the House of 20010H0049R0669 - 2 -
1 Representatives appoint the minority chairperson of the task 2 force from among its members; and be it further 3 RESOLVED, That the task force may hold hearings, take 4 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems 5 necessary in this Commonwealth and that each member of the task 6 force shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations 7 to witnesses appearing before the task force; and be it further 8 RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of 9 Representatives be authorized to pay for all necessary, 10 appropriate and proper expenses incurred by the task force. B8L82MSP/20010H0049R0669 - 3 -